WASHINGTON (RNS) — A federal court on April 19 ruled an ordinance in Phoenix, Ariz., trying to limit the sound of church bells is an unconstitutional impingement on religious expression. In 2007, one day after Christ the King Cathedral moved…

From now through May 21, Thrivent Financial for Lutheran members at least 16 years old can vote to distribute $1 million among 10 national charitable organizations, including two LCMS ministries. And, if at least 350,000 Thrivent members cast their votes,…

The 2010 Convention Workbook will be in the mail by May 1 to this year’s LCMS convention delegates and alternate delegates, lay members of Synod boards and commissions, and all remaining rostered LCMS church workers, says Synod Secretary Dr. Raymond…

Krista Nagy of Cleveland, Ohio, has been named principal of the elementary school of Concordia International School Shanghai.  She will begin serving in her new post at the beginning of the 2010-11 school year, in September. Nagy will succeed Louise Weber,…

“Reaching out to Muslims” will be the focus of the Lay Bible Institute sponsored by Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, on Aug. 7. Leading the daylong workshop will be Dr. John Loum, director of the seminary’s Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology. …

Concordia Publishing House has produced two books in Spanish that are designed to help parents discuss sexual topics with their children. Created by CPH’s Multilingual Department, Editorial Concordia, both books — Como estás cambiando (How You Are Changing) and ¿De…

Dr. Richard L. Schlecht, president of the LCMS Michigan District from 1969 to 1985, died of complications from cancer on April 20 at Crittenton Hospital in Rochester, Mich. The funeral service was April 24 at St. John Lutheran Church in Rochester, with…

The LCMS is encouraging all of its Concordia colleges, universities, and seminaries to take part in “Sleep Out to End Malaria” activities in recognition of World Malaria Day, Sunday, April 25. The “Sleep Out” national event, where participants sleep overnight under…

Dr. Richard C. Dickinson, a longtime Black ministry leader in The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod, died April 17 of cancer at his home in St. Louis.  Dickinson, 85, was diagnosed with the disease about 14 months ago. A funeral service was held April…

Opening its season March 1, the Saxon Lutheran Memorial (SLM), located in Frohna, Mo., about 100 miles south of St. Louis, has several events planned for the year.  Coming up April 24-25 will be a spring mini-festival, craft fair, and…

Thanks to a Milwaukee-based outreach media ministry, LCMS chaplains will be distributing 600 MP3 players pre-loaded with four biblical messages to servicemen and women overseas. “Time of Grace” is a non-profit organization founded in 2001 whose goal is to “share…

A fire that began during a thunderstorm on the morning of April 6 caused extensive damage to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Harvard, Ill.  Pastor Michael Pfingsten told Reporter the roof over the altar area had visible flames when he…

The offering for this year’s National LCMS Youth Gathering in New Orleans will support community renewal and reconstruction projects in that city’s area and a new grant program to help youth groups reach unchurched youth. The Gathering will take place…

By Linda C. Hoops A statement released March 23 addresses the decisions on human sexuality made by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America at its 2009 Churchwide Assembly. Titled “Theological Implications of the 2009 ELCA Decisions,” the 10-page statement was…

NEW ORLEANS (RNS) — The ritual of washing feet has a deep-seated tie to Holy Week, a symbol of the humility Jesus showed in performing the act for His disciples the day before His death. Craig Taffaro, president of St.…

(RNS) — To the untrained eye, the graceful lilies that arrive on church altars each year on Easter Sunday are a familiar symbol of resurrection and renewal.  Like poinsettias on Christmas, it just wouldn’t be Easter without them. But for…